US2592791A - Tubing clamp having opposite identical jaws - Google Patents

Description

April 15, 1952 c, J, CQBERLY 2,592,791

TURBINE CLAMP HAVING OPPOSITE IDENTICAL JAWS Filed Feb. 27, 1948 /N\/N7'OR.

44 CLARENCE d. COBERLY BY H/S ATTORNEYS.

ZARR/QK/ cH, FOSTER &HA/?R/S Patented Apr. 15, 1952 TUBING CLAMP HAVING OPPOSITE IDENTICAL JAWS Clarence J. Coberly, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Dresser Equipment Ohio, a corporation of Company, Cleveland Ohio Application February 27, 1948, Serial No. 11,590

My invention relates generally to improvements in tubing clamps and more particularly to a clamp adapted to maintain a' plurality of tubings in a predetermined, parallel relationship to each other.

' The tubing-clamp which is the subject of the present invention is intended to be utilized in conjunction with a plurality of vertical tubings disposed within the confines of an oil well casing andis so constructed that it can be readily installed upon and removed from the tubings which it secures together.

- An object of my invention is the provision of a clamp of this type which is of nominal size and nevertheless is adapted to secure a plurality of maximum size tubings together.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing clamp which grasps the tubings at four points on the periphery thereof, thus providing maximum security against the possible dislodgment of the clamp.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a tubing clamp which is of streamlined configuration and divested of superfluous projections which might cause the clamp to be caught at theannular recess in the couplings between the-ends of the joints of easing or projections-in the interior of the well casing in the process of insertion or withdrawal of the tubings from'an oil well.

Another object/of my invention is the pro- .vision of a tubing clamp which is so constructed that, should it be inadvertently dislodgedfrom its position about the tubings, will not fall .off the. tubings with the possibility of becoming .wedged between the tubings and the inner wall of the well casing or otherwise lost in the casing. On the contrary, the clamp will maintain a sumcientv hold upon the tubings to permit it to slide down until it impinges on a tubing collar or until it becomes wedged upon the tubings themselves.

Another object is to provide a clamp that is a unitary assembly which can be placed on the tubing by loosening a single bolt and which cannot be disassembled in the field thus avoiding any danger of dropping any of the component parts in the well.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a tubing clamp which comprises a minimum number of parts, is easy to assemble and manufacture and can be produced at comparatively low cost.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon a consultation of those embodiments which, for purposes of example alone, are described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

1 Claim. (Cl. 24-81) 9 Fig. 1 is a vertical elevationalview, partly in section, showing the manner in which clamps constructed in accordance with my invention are utilized to secure a plurality of tubings together within an oil well casing;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal partly crosssectional view taken on broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on broken line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a tubing clamp constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on broken line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

A tubing clamp III, which is the subject of the present invention, is shown in Fig. l as it is utilized within an oil well to maintain a number of depending tubings in predetermined, parallel, spaced relationship. It is, of course, not intended that the clamp be limited to any such specific use, and it is shown as utilized in an oil well for purposes of illustration alone.

The general pumping system is shown and described in detail in Patent No. 2,338,903, issued January'll, 1944, to which reference is hereby made for the particulars thereof, and forms no part of the present invention. To facilitate un-- derstanding of the present invention, however, the pumping system will be generally described.

A four-way valve H which is mounted upon an oil well casing head [2 has connected thereto a power oil tube l3 which depends downwardly therefrom into an oil well casing l4. Positioned alongside the power oil tubing I3 is a production tubing H which is adapted to convey the spent power oil and the production oil to the four-way valve ll. 1

Because the power oil tubing [3 and themeduction tubing I! depend downwardly within the confines of the oil well casing I4 for a considerable distance and to insure that both of the tubings l3 and I! are kept in close contiguity to each other to prevent the bowing out of either of the tubings into contact with the well casing M as they are dropped therein or withdrawn therefrom a number of clamps l0, constructed in accordance with my invention, arev installed about the periphery of tubings l3 and lllongitudinally at spaced intervals.

The clamp H), as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, comprises two symmetrical jaw members, l8 and 19 which are held together in cooperative relationship by means of a bolt 20 or similar fastening means. A headed end 22 of the bolt 2!] lie within a recess 23 formed in the side of the jaw member l8 and its shank portion passes through a hole 24 in the jaw member l8 which subtends the recess 23. A threaded'end 25 of the bolt 20 is threadedly engaged within a hole 26 formed in the jaw member l9 and projects outwardly into a recess 21 similarin configuration to the recess 23 in the'jaw member [8. By providing the recesses 23 and 21 for the reception of the opposite ends of the bolt of sufiicient depth the possibility that either end can project beyond the peripheral bounds of the clamp 10 and catch upon at the annular recess in the couplings between the ends of the joints of the casing or projections within the well casing i4 is avoided.

There is formed in the threaded portion of the bolt 20 a recess 28 which is adapted to receive the end of a suitable swaging tool to permit the end of the bolt 20 to be swaged, as at 29. Thus,

once the bolt 20 fastens the jaw members [8 and 19 together and the end of the bolt 20 is swaged, the jaw members it and. H] are inseparabl joined together. Therefore, the possibility that one or the other ofthe. jaw members might be misplaced or the. bolt itself be dropped and lost is avoided.

When the clamp ID. is to be installed upon the tubings 1-3 and I! the bolt 29 is unscrewed in the hole: 26 in the jaw member :9 as. far as. it will go. Jaw members 48- and 19 are then disposed about the tubings l3 and H. andthe bolt 2.9 tightened until the-jaw members t8 and 59 are pulled into engagement with the tubings l3 and I1. Notice should also be taken of the fact. that the hole 24- in the'jaw member It isoversize and thejaw member 18 is therefore allowed a certain amount of free'movement upon the shank of the bolt 20. When the clamp 10 is assembled uponthe tubings 13* and l1 and the jaw members it and I9 are drawn into contact with the tubings by tightening the bolt 20 the jaw member 18 will, because of the oversize hole. 24, tend to adjust itself upon the: bolt 20 until it conforms to: the position assumed on the other si'de ofthe tubings by the jawmember Hi. This is an important feature of the invention since it assures the proper alignment of the clamp it upon the tubings at all times.

As indicated above; the ja-wmembers 128' and 19 of. the clamp Ill are of symmetrical shape. Their inner or. grasping. surfaces are disposed in face tov face relationship with each other. and their external or peripheral configuration is roughly of ovoidcross sectionwhenxbot-h members are placed in contiguous and cooperative relationship by means of the bolt 28..

. The jaw. member 18 is provided at its inner centralportion with an internally projecting boss 3| which has its opposite sides arcuately'cut, as

at 32 and 33', to permit an; accurate and effective contact to bev made with the external curvature ofthe tubings: I13 and H. As can be seen from Fig. 2. of the drawing the surface area of the arcuate cut .in the boss 3] at 33 is considerably larger than thatat '32 to permit the reception of a. larger diameter tubing. Since both the jaw members 18 and I9 :are of similar overall configuration the description of the internal grasping surfaces of the jaw 18 will suihce for a description of the identical but oppositely disposed grasping surfaces of the jaw member l9.

Projecting laterally from either side of the central portion of the jaw 18' are .arcuate gripping portions 34 and 35.. The gripping portion 34 is formed on a wide arc to permit a large diameter tubing to be grasped. thereby while the gripping portion 35 is inscribed on a narrower arc to accommodate a tubing, of smaller diameter. A slight arcuate cut is taken on the inner surface of the grippingportion 34} as at 36, to permit ac- 33 in the boss 3|, as best shown in Fig. 2, provide a two-point suspension at the inner side of the peripheral circumference of the tubing I3 and the gripping portions 34, through their accurate contact with the periphery of the tubing 13 on its other side provide a two-point suspension there. Thus it can be said. that the tubing I3 is supported and secured at four points on its peripheral circumference by the gripping portions within the clamp.

In a similar manner the arcuate cuts 32 on the opposite side of the boss 3| arebrought into contact with the-inner side of the tubing 11 while the'gripping portions 35 with their accurate. registry upon the opposite side. of the tubing ll pro vide additionalsupportwhich contributes to the fourpoint suspension of the tubing I within that portion of the clamp 10.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the upper and lower edges-2l of the jaw members l8 and. I9. will. also grasp uponthe periphery of the tubings. l3 and IT if the tubing is correct in size. Thus; the tubings will be securely held, not onlyby the inner gripping portions-of the clamp i0 butalso bytheupper and lower. edges thereof.

There is thus provided by this embodiment of my invention an adjustable, easily installed and removed clamp which-,becauseof its interior configuration, is able to firmly secure twotubings of different sizes in predetermined parallel relation ship with each other. Because of its streamlined exterior shape it is not apt to become wedged against the inner. wall.- of the we1l:casing nor can it. because of its design and structure,

fall off the tubings and impede the removal: of the tubings from the well casing.

There is shown. in. Fig- 4 another embodiment of my invention which is a. clamp- 40. designed to accommodate three tubings in predetermined parallel relationship. In this case the power oil tubing. I3 is secured iii-one side of the clamp and in the'opposite side ofthe clampare located it spent power 011- return tubing 41 and a production oil tubing 42-. V

Two oppositely disposed jawmembers 43 and H- are' supported in cooperative relationship through the intermediary of a bolt 20 which has a headedportion 22 lying within a recess 23 formed in the central portion of the jaw member 43.. The jaw members 43 and 44* are of'substantially identical and symmetricalshape anda description of the shape of the jaw member 43 will F suflice. for thej aw member 44.

The shank portion of. the. bolt 20 passes through an oversize hole 24 formed in the jaw member 43 and its threaded portion 25 is engaged within a hole 26 formed in the jaw member 44 while its extreme end lies within a. recess 21 formed in the central portion ofthe jaw member 4'4; The recessesz23and' 21' serve a similar function. in, the clamp 40 to that achieved by thenrin the clamp H). A hole 28 isxprovidectin the threaded portion of the bolt 20: and the end of the bolt is swaged, as at 29, by a suitable swaging tool.

Interposed between the jaw members 43 and 44 is a central member 45 which is supported upon the shank of the bolt by means of a hole 46 formed in its base 4'! through which the shank of the bolt 20 passes. The member has formed in those opposite sides which face the inner surfaces of the jaw members 43 and 44 arcuate cuts 48 which are adapted to receive a portion of the i.

peripheral circumference of the tubings 4| and 42 in a secure and accurate grip.

The jaw member 43 has an inwardly projecting central boss 49 which has arcuate cuts 50 and 52 formed in the lowermost portion of its opposite sides adapted to grip upon the outside of a tubing firmly and accurately. The arcuate cut 50 is of substantially larger radius than the arcuate cut 52 and the smaller tubings 4| and 42 have their center lines on either side of the center line of the tubing l3 whereas the tubings l3 and H in the clamp l0 are positioned on the same center line.

Projecting laterally from both sides of the central portion of the jaw member 43 are arcuate gripping members 53 and 54. The gripping member 53 is formed on a wider arc than the gripping member 54 to accommodate a tubing of larger dimensions than the gripping member 54 need accommodate. Slight arcuate cuts are formed on the inner surface of the gripping members 53 and 54, as at 55, to permit the surface in that area to conform to the configuration of the tubing with which it is in contact. The arcuate cuts 50 and 55 provide a four-point suspensory system on the interior surface of the jaw members 43 and 44 which is capable of supporting the tubing l3 securely within the clamp 40.

On the other side of the clamp 40 the spent power oil return tubing 4| is supported on one side by the arcuate cuts 52 and 55 formed in the interior surface of the jaw member 44 and on the other other side by the arcuate cut 48 formed in the side of the member 45. The production oil tubing 42 is supported on the other side of the member 45 and the interior surface of the jaw member43 in a similar manner. The tubings 4| and 42 may be said to be supported at three points in this side of the clamp 40. The clamp 40 provides means'for keeping three tubings in parallel alignment in little more space than is required by the clamp I0.

The installation of the clamp 40 upon the tubings |3, 4| and 42 is accomplished by unscrewing the bolt 20 in the hole 26 as far as it will go and thus spreading'the jaw members 43 and 44 apart.

,The central member 45 is inserted between the tubings 4| and 42 as the jaw members are fitted to the tubings.

Then the bolt 20 is drawn up until the inner surfaces of the jaw members 43 and 44 and the outer surfaces of the central member 45 are brought into clamping contact with the tubings 3, 4| and 42. As in the case of the clamp 0, the upper and lower edges of the jaw members 43 andi45 also contact the periphery of the tubings l3, 4| and 42 and serve to supplement the gripping effect of the inner portions of the clamp.

Clamp 40 is also of ovoid cross-sectional configuration and is so designed that there will be very little chance of its becoming wedged in the interstices in the oil well casing. A further advantage of the clamp 40 is that it will clamp three tubings in parallelism in the same size casing as the two tubings to which the clamp I0 is designed to be applied, with the fluid capacity of of simple parts.

both systems about equal. For example, if the casing I4 is 5 inch casing, the tubing l3 may be 2 inch tubing and the tubings 4| and 42 may be inch tubings, with substantially the same overall fluid capacity.

Since both the clamps I0 and 40 are so designed that their exterior surfaces are in close contiguity to the interior of the well casing M, the well casing prevents the clamps from falling off the tubings if the belt 20 should inadvertently become loosened. The loosening of the bolt 20 will only result in the slippage of the clamp down the tubings until it comes to rest upon another clamp or a tubing collar. Thus the possibility that the clamp could fall free of the tubings and become wedged between the tubings and the interior of the well casing is avoided.

I have disclosed above clamps constructed in accordance with my invention which are designed to restrain a plurality of tubings in parallelism and which are constituted of a minimum number The clamps are of such exterior configuration and construction that the possibility of their becoming caught in the casing wall is reduced to a minimum and they are so constituted that they cannot be dislodged from the tubings upon which they are mounted even though the bolt which secures them should become loosened. They are easily removed and installed and can be manufactured at moderate cost.

The embodiments of my invention which are shown in the drawings and described in the specification have been shown and described to illustrate the preferred manner of construction and mode of operation of the devices and to indicate the advantages inherent in their construction. I do not intend, however, to limit myself to the specific forms of the invention which I have shown and described since it is obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction and mode of operation of the invention which will, nevertheless, fall within the spirit and scope of the following claim.

I claim as my invention:

A clamp adapted to retain a, plurality of tubings in parallelism with each other, including: a pair of jaw members, each of said jaw members having projecting from the central portion thereof laterally disposed, arcuate gripping portions; a central member located between said jaw members, said central member having a basal portion and a shank portion, said basal portion having a hole therein and being provided with an arcuate tubing seat and said shank portion being provided with oppositely disposed arcuate tubing seats; and fastening means securing said jaw members to each other, said fastening means, passing through said hole in said central member to retain it between said jaw members.

CLARENCE J COBERLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 1,040,620 Clark Oct. 8, 1912 1,261,582 Mathias Apr. 2, 1918 1,943,020 Johnson Jan. 9, 1934 1,953,709 Gateka Apr. 3, 1934 2,053,615 Krueger Sept. 8. 1936 2,081,047 Basch May 18, 1937 2,092,372 Goeller Sept. 7, 1937 2,223,191 Sperbeck et al Nov. 26, 19 0 2,426,857 Birkenmaier Sept. 2, 1947

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